Psalm 35:13

13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

Psalm 35:13 in Other Translations

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

13 But I, when they were sick—I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them. I denied myself by fasting for them, but my prayers returned unanswered.

13 When they were sick, I dressed in black; instead of eating, I prayed.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted my soul with fasting; And my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

13 But when they were sick, I wore sackcloth. I humbled myself with fasting. When my prayer returned unanswered,

13 Yet when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, and my prayer was genuine.

13 But when they were sick, I put on black clothes. I made myself low by going without food. My prayers for them weren't always answered.

Psalm 35:13 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick
Or under any disorder or distress of body or mind, when any misfortune or infirmity attended them; meaning Saul and his courtiers, before David was persecuted by them;

my clothing [was] sackcloth;
that is, he was grieved, and mourned for them, it being usual to put on sackcloth in time of mourning; see ( Genesis 37:34 ) ;

I humbled my soul with fasting;
on the account of them, giving up himself to prayer for them, as follows:

and my prayer returned into mine own bosom;
that is, he prayed privately and heartily for them, as for himself; he was constant in it, his heart was in it, and he took delight in it, and he was heard and answered; unless the sense should be, that his prayer was slighted by them, and so returned back to himself, as a present despised is returned; but however it was not without its effect, the good for which he prayed for them was returned by the Lord unto him.

Psalm 35:13 In-Context

11 Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

12 They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.

13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

14 I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.

Cross References

• 1. S 2 Samuel 3:31; 1 Kings 20:31; Psalms 30:11; Psalms 69:11
• 2. Job 30:25; Psalms 69:10; Psalms 109:24